Denmark Work Visa 2025: High-Demand Jobs & Skilled Migration Updates

Denmark continues to attract global talent with its 2025 Positive List updates, offering new opportunities for skilled professionals seeking a Denmark work visa. The latest changes to the high-demand jobs list streamline immigration processes for non-EU/EEA nationals in sectors like healthcare, engineering, and IT. Below, we break down the 2025 Positive List updates, including Denmark skilled migration pathways, salary thresholds, and how to apply for a Denmark work permit 2025.

Denmark Skilled Migration 2025: Top High-Demand Jobs & Visa Updates

The Danish Positive List now features 162 roles for degree holders and 48 skilled trades, with expanded opportunities in tech, healthcare, and green energy. Key updates include:

January 2025 Changes

• Higher Education List: Expanded to 162 roles (+21 from 2024).

• Skilled Work List: Reduced to 48 roles (-13 from 2024).

• New roles: Hardware Developers, Movie Designers, Blacksmiths.

April 2025 Additions

• 1,000+ healthcare openings (nurses, doctors).

• Green energy engineering roles (wind/solar technicians).

• Faster family reunification visas.

Salary Requirements:

• Average monthly salary for non-EU professionals: DKK 71,000 (€9,500).

• Reduced thresholds for IT and healthcare roles under collective agreements.

Higher Education Positive List

• Size: Expanded to 162 job titles (up from 141 in July 2024).

• Notable Additions:

  • Heads of Finance

  • Heads of Logistics

  • Hardware Developers

  • Movie, TV, and Animation Designers

  • Business Intelligence Managers

  • Management Consultants

  • Information Technology Engineers

  • Communication Officers

• Key Sectors: The additions emphasize finance, IT, creative industries, and management, aligning with Denmark’s focus on innovation and digital transformation.

• Duration: Most roles remain on the list until at least June 30, 2026, ensuring stability for applicants. Some, like Veterinarian and Nurse, are listed until December 31, 2026, reflecting long-term shortages in healthcare.

• No Notable Removals: The absence of removals signals sustained demand across existing roles, such as Medical Doctors, Nurses, and Automation Engineers.

Higher Education Positive List

DISCO Code	Job Title	Required Education	Validity Period
121100	Head of Accounting	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
121100	Head of Finances	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
121320	Department Manager, Public Administration	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
121320/121990	Head of Office	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
121320/121990	Office Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
121910	Facility Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
121920	Head of Logistics	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
121990	Head of Secretariat	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
121990	Department Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
121990	Head of Department	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
121990	Project Leader	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
122100	Head of Sales	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
122100	Head of Marketing	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
122100	Head of Customer Service	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
132100	Head of Products	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
132100	Head of Production	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
132400	Warehouse Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2025
133020	Head of IT	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
134100	Nursery Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
134400	Assistant Manager, Institution	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
134500	Vice Principal	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
134500	Principal	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
134500	Head of Education	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
221100	Chief Physician	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 30 June 2026
221100	Medical Doctor	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 30 June 2026
221200	Doctor with a Specialty	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
222110/222120/222130	Nurse	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
222120	Nurse with a Specialty	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 30 June 2026
222200	Midwife	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 30 June 2026
225000	Veterinarian	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
226100	Dentist	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
226200	Pharmacist	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
226300	Work Environment Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
226410	Physiotherapist	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 30 June 2026
226510/226520	Nutrition and Health Consultant	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
226510	Dietary Worker	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
226620	Speech Therapist	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
226700	Optician	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2025
226910	Occupational Therapist	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2025
226990	Daily Manager, Healthcare	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
226990	Daily Manager, Institution for Elderly Citizens	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
231010	Researcher, Health Sciences	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
231010	Ph.D., Health Sciences	Master’s	Until 30 June 2026
231010	Associate Professor, Natural Science and Technology	Master’s	Until 30 June 2026
231010	Associate Professor, Health Sciences	Master’s	Until 31 December 2025
231010	Assistant Professor	Master’s	Until 31 December 2025
231020	Assistant Professor, University College	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
232010	Vocational Upper Secondary School Teacher	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2026
232010	Subject Teacher at a Vocational Upper Secondary Education	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2026
232010	Teacher, Social and Healthcare School	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
232030	Upper Secondary School Teacher, Adult Education Centre	Master’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2026
233010	Upper Secondary School Teacher	Master’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2026
233010	Upper Secondary School Teacher, Natural Science and Sports	Master’s + Danish recognition*	Until 30 June 2026
233010	Upper Secondary School Teacher, Humanities and Creative Subjects	Master’s	Until 30 June 2026
234100	Primary School Teacher	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2026
234100	Subject Teacher at Primary and Lower Secondary School	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2025
234100	Teacher, Danish as a Second Language	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
234200	Pre-school Teacher	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish recognition*	Until 31 December 2026
235100	Pedagogue	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
235100	Pedagogue, Special Needs Education	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
235100	Pedagogue, Youth	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
235600	Music Teacher	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
235600	Teacher, Creative Subjects	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
235910	Consultant, Education	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
241100	Auditor	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
241100	Financial Auditor	Master’s	Until 30 June 2026
241100	Assistant Auditor	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
241210	Business Controller	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
241220	Financial Controller	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
241310	Economist	Master’s	Until 30 June 2026
242100	HR Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
242310	Management Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
242310	Business Analyst	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
243100	Communication Officer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
243100	Communication Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
243100	Press Officer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
243200	Event Coordinator	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
243300	Sales Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
243300	Key Account Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
243300	Sales Coordinator	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
251110	IT Architect	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251110	Cloud Architect	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251210	Programmer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251210	System Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251210	Software Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251210	App Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251210	Game Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
251210	Full Stack Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251310	Data Scientist	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
251310	Data Analyst	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251310	Data Engineer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251310	Business Intelligence Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251410	IT Project Manager	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251410	IT Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251410	IT Quality Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251410	Scrum Master	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
251910	Cyber Security Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
251910	Cyber Security Architect	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
251920	Network Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
252100	Database Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
252100	Database Administrator	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
252900	IT Supporter	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
252900	Infrastructure Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
261100	Attorney	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
261100	Attorney Assistant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
261100	Public Prosecutor	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
261910	Legal Advisor	Master’s	Until 31 December 2026
262200	Archivist	Master’s	Until 31 December 2025
263100	Social Worker	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
263100	Social Worker, Children	Professional Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2025
263510	Priest	Master’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
264110	Journalist	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
264110	Editor	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
264210	Animator	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
264210	Movie, TV, and Animation Designer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
264210	Game Designer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
265400	Film Editor	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
265400	TV Editor	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
311200	Civil Engineer Technician	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
311510	Marine Engineer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
311510	Naval Architect	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
311930	Energy Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
311930	Environmental Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
312200	Production Supervisor	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
312200	Production Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
315200	Ship’s Officer	Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
315200	Ship’s Mate	Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2025
315400	Air Traffic Controller	Bachelor’s + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2026
334100	Project Coordinator	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
334100	Project Assistant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
335910	Patent Consultant	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
341200	Social and Healthcare Worker	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
341200	Social and Healthcare Worker, Children	Professional Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2025
343100	Photo Editor	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
343100	Photographer	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
343510	Designer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
343510	Graphic Designer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
351100	IT Operator	Bachelor’s	Until 30 June 2026
351300	Hardware Developer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
351300	IT Engineer	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026
411010	Medical Secretary	Bachelor’s	Until 31 December 2026

Note: Danish authorization or recognition is required for certain professions.

• Size: Reduced to 48 job titles (down from 61 in July 2024), reflecting fewer shortages in certain trades.

• Notable Additions:

  • Blacksmiths

  • Electricity Distribution Technicians

  • Service Technicians

  • Electronics Mechanics

• Notable Removals:

  • Information Technology Supporters

  • Webmasters

  • Secretaries

  • Finance Assistants

  • Welders

• Key Sectors: The updated list prioritizes technical and trade roles critical to infrastructure and manufacturing, such as electrical and mechanical services.

• Duration: Roles are typically listed until December 31, 2025, with updates expected in July 2025.

Skilled Work Positive List

DISCO Code	Job Title	Required Education	Validity Period
214400	Mechanical Engineer	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
311300	Electrical Engineering Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
311400	Electronics Engineering Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
311500	Mechanical Engineering Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
311900	Cooling and Ventilation Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
312300	Construction Supervisor	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
313100	Energy Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
313100	Wind Turbine Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
313900	Service Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
315200	Ship’s Engineer	Vocational training + Danish authorization*	Until 31 December 2025
325710	Hearing Aid Fitter	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
325790	Orthopaedic Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
422900	Customer Advisor	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
511300	Outdoor Guide	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
512010	Chef	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
512010	Kitchen Assistant	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
513110	Waiter	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
514110	Hairdresser	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
514200	Beautician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
515300	Porter	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
516400	Dog Handler	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
531200	Childcare Assistant	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
532900	Healthcare Assistant	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
611300	Greenhouse Worker	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
611300	Landscape Gardener	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
612100	Dairy Farmer	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
612100	Livestock Farmer	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
612100	Fur Farmer	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
711510	Carpenter	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
711510	Furniture Carpenter	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
711900	Fair Worker	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
712100	Bricklayer	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
713100	Painter	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
721100	Blacksmith	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
721200	Sheet Metal Worker	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
721200	Bodywork Metal Worker	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
721400	Cable Jointer	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
722200	Toolmaker	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
722300	CNC Operator	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
722300	Precision Mechanic	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
723100	Mechanic	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
723100	Car Mechanic	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
723100	Bicycle Mechanic	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
723300	Agricultural Machinery Mechanic	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
723300	Construction Machinery Mechanic	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
731700	Organ Builder	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
741100	Electrician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025
741100	Electricity Distribution Technician	Vocational training	Until 31 December 2025

Note: Danish authorization or recognition is required for certain professions (e.g., Ship’s Engineer).

Impact of January Updates

The expansion of the Higher Education list to 162 roles underscores Denmark’s need for advanced expertise in technology, healthcare, and management. The reduction in the Skilled Work list to 48 roles indicates improved domestic supply in some trades, allowing a focus on niche technical roles. Streamlined application processes and lower salary thresholds for certain roles further enhance accessibility for international candidates.

April 1, 2025: Further Expansion in Key Sectors

The April 2025 update, announced via posts on X and immigration news, builds on the January changes by further expanding opportunities in healthcare, engineering, and trades. While specific job titles added in April are not fully detailed in available sources, the update emphasizes:

• Healthcare: Increased demand for roles like Nurses, Medical Doctors, and Physiotherapists, with up to 1,000 openings in the social and healthcare sector alone. A streamlined licensing program now enables healthcare workers to enter the job market more efficiently.

• Engineering: Additional roles in automation, environmental, and green energy engineering, supporting Denmark’s leadership in sustainability and the green transition.

• Trades: Expanded opportunities for skilled tradespeople, such as electricians, blacksmiths, and service technicians, to meet infrastructure and construction needs.

• Family Reunification: Enhanced options for skilled workers’ families, allowing spouses and children to join more easily. Spouses may also qualify for their own work permits, creating dual-income opportunities.

• Streamlined Visa Processes: Reduced processing times and lower application fees (specific rates not disclosed but noted as decreased in 2025) make work visa applications faster and more affordable.

Benefits for Skilled Professionals

The 2025 Positive List updates offer several advantages for international workers:

1. Streamlined Work Permits:

   • Non-EU/EEA nationals with a job offer in a listed occupation can apply for a residence and work permit via SIRI’s Positive List scheme. The process is faster, with reduced red tape and clear eligibility criteria.

   • Required documentation includes proof of education, a job offer, and a salary meeting Danish standards (approximately DKK 71,000 monthly for non-collective agreement roles as of January 2025).

2. Family-Friendly Policies:

   • Spouses and children relocating with the primary applicant may apply for visas either alongside the main applicant’s work permit application or shortly after its approval. They also gain access to support services, including housing assistance, schooling resources, and integration programs such as Danish language classes.

   • Spouses may qualify for their own work permits, enhancing financial stability.

3. Pathway to Long-Term Residency:

   • Work permits are generally issued for the same period as the employment contract, typically lasting up to four years. Following several years of continuous employment and compliance with residency criteria, workers become eligible to apply for permanent residency status.

   • A clear pathway to citizenship exists for those who meet language and cultural integration criteria, offering long-term stability in one of the world’s happiest countries.

4. High Quality of Life:

   • Denmark’s focus on work-life balance, excellent healthcare, and top-tier education systems ensures a supportive environment for professionals and their families.

   • Sectors like green energy and IT offer opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge industries, particularly in Denmark’s ambitious green transition, which could create 17,000 permanent jobs over the coming decades.

How to Apply for a Denmark Work Visa in 2025

To secure a Danish residence and work permit via the Positive List program, complete the following steps:

1. Secure a Job Offer:

   • Identify a role on the Higher Education or Skilled Work Positive List, available directly at:

     • Positive List for People with a Higher Education

     • Positive List for Skilled Work

   • Use job platforms like Work in Denmark, JobsinDenmark, or LinkedIn, or contact sector-specific agencies (e.g., Healthcare Denmark for healthcare roles).

2. Prepare Documentation:

   • A valid passport (all pages, including front and back cover).

   • Proof of relevant education (e.g., degree certificates or vocational qualifications).

   • A job offer or employment contract detailing salary and conditions compliant with Danish standards.

   • Proof of paid application fee (if applicable; commuters may be exempt).

   • Additional documents for non-salary benefits (e.g., paid housing).

3. Submit Application:

   • Apply online via SIRI’s portal at www.nyidanmark.dk.

   • Both the applicant and employer complete parts of the application form.

   • Processing times vary but are noted as reduced in 2025 for Positive List applications.

4. Plan Relocation:

   • Upon approval, arrange housing, schooling (if applicable), and integration programs.

   • Explore Danish language courses to aid integration and future citizenship goals.

Looking Ahead: Denmark’s Commitment to Global Talent

Denmark’s 2025 Positive List updates reflect a strategic approach to addressing labor shortages while fostering a welcoming environment for skilled professionals. The expansion of the Higher Education list to 162 roles and the focus on healthcare, engineering, and trades in April demonstrate a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and social welfare. With reduced processing times, lower fees, and family-friendly policies, Denmark is rolling out the red carpet for international talent.

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